A-list guests arrive for Cruise wedding
Guests for the star-studded wedding of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes began arriving at the 15th-century Odescalchi Castle today as dozens of police patrolled Bracciano’s medieval streets.
Hundreds of the Italian town’s residents and fans of the actors crowded the small square outside the castle, hoping to catch a glimpse of the bride and groom or one of their guests.
“I want to see at least one of them – even if it’s not Tom Cruise,” said 15-year-old fan Erica Bandiera.
“I want to see Beckham’s wife,” said her friend Luca Costanzi, 15. David and Victoria Beckham were expected to be attending the wedding.
Other guests were expected to include Mission Impossible III director JJ Abrams, Brooke Shields, Jennifer Lopez and Lopez’s husband, singer Marc Anthony, and Will Smith.
Security was tight, with Carbinieri paramilitary police patrolling the walls of the castle and all vehicles banned from the centre of Bracciano.
The historic town’s narrow streets teemed with journalists and camera crews, while the Odescalchi family flag fluttered over the castle’s towers.
“This is an honour for us,” said Marianna Riso, 31, who came to Bracciano from the nearby town of Anguillara in hopes of getting a glimpse of one of the celebrities. “(Cruise and Holmes) really are known all over the world and they chose Bracciano. It’s an honour.”
Locals found their own ways to welcome the bride and groom.
At the Il Ristorantino restaurant, Palazzini offered a Top Gun menu that included fettuccine with seafood called Mission Impossible and apple pie with cream and hot chocolate named after Suri, the couple’s daughter.
At the nearby Trattoria del Castello, guests could order a “Tom e Kat” – a basket of parmesan cheese with truffles and mushrooms.
“Wishing you love and happiness,” read one sign written in English and taped to the window of a coffee shop.
“Congratulations Tom and Katie,” said a sticker on the window of a clothing store, whose two other windows displayed a wedding dress with a photograph of the couple, and a Top Gun theme with aviation outfits and jackets, and a poster of Cruise as Maverick, the pilot he played in the movie.
Last night, Cruise and Holmes attended a reception at a villa on a hill overlooking the Italian capital, and were still inside Rome’s luxury Hassler hotel this morning.
Bracciano Mayor Patrizia Riccioni said the celebrity couple would wed in a Scientology ceremony at the castle, 27 miles north of Rome.
Scientology ceremonies contain many elements of traditional weddings, including rings and vows. But they also include certain Scientology fundamentals, including vowing never to go to bed without communicating about any differences.
Scientology rites are not legally recognised in Italy, and would have to be preceded or followed by a civil union.
Riccioni’s office had not received a request to celebrate a civil wedding as of early today.
